Karim Sabbagh

Speaker Bio

Karim Sabbagh is the Managing Director of Space42, the AI-powered space technology champion formed through the merger of Bayanat and Yahsat in October 2024. The company integrates AI with geospatial analytics and satellite communications to deliver sovereign capabilities and global services across mobility, earth observation, and business intelligence.

He brings over three decades of global experience at the intersection of technology, strategy, and execution, with a consistent focus on using innovation to drive economic and societal progress.

Prior to Space42, Sabbagh was the Managing Director of E-Space, where he focused on deploying a space-based IoT infrastructure at scale. He served as President and CEO of SES, guiding its evolution into a multi-service, multi-orbit satellite operator. Earlier, as Senior Partner at Booz&Co, he advised satellite operators and government entities on sector reform, investment strategy, and competitiveness.

He serves on the Board of Directors of Space42 and sits on the Board of Advisors of the Portulans Institute in Washington DC, an organization focused on technology competitiveness and innovation readiness.

He is also a member of the Academic Council at École des Ponts Business School in France.

Sabbagh has authored and co-authored several op-eds and white papers on the role of technology in advancing economies and societies. He co-authored The Third Billion, which led to the creation of a global index tracking the economic impact of empowering one billion women excluded from full participation. He contributed to the Global Information Technology Report and Global Innovation Index, and was the founder and chairman of the Booz&Co Ideation Center.

Sabbagh’s academic interest cover technology, government, strategy, and finance. He completed graduate and postgraduate studies at Columbia University, Harvard University, the International School of Management, and the American University of Beirut.